Ho Chi Minh City plans VND12 trillion climate change budget

Vietnamnet Bridge: According to a draft action plan for climate change adaptation in 2011-2015 prepared by the city’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment, 50% of the budget will come from foreign sources, 30% from the central government, 10% from the city’s budget and the remainder from the private sector and others.

In the next five years, the city will prioritize carrying out many projects in vital sectors such as urban planning, water resources, energy, agriculture and waste management. The department predicted sea levels would rise by 65 centimeters in the near future, submerging 128 square kilometers of land in the city under water. If sea levels surge by 100 centimeters, 473 square kilometers, or 23% of the city’s area, will become prone to floods.

Under the five-year action plan, the city will center on making proper plans for urban development and traffic works, and doing research on the impact of climate change on migration. To that end, the city will research application of new construction materials that help increase water absorption on pavements, at parking lots and on roads.